ke manner often ennobling
the most tame scenery;--yet not so but that we may always
distinguish between the abstract character of the unassisted
landscape, and the charm which it derives from the architecture.
Much of the majesty of French landscape consists in its grand and
grey village churches and turreted farmhouses, not to speak of its
cathedrals, castles, and beautifully placed cities.

[107] One of the principal reasons for the false supposition that
Switzerland is not picturesque, is the error of most sketchers and
painters in representing pine forest in middle distance as dark
_green_, or grey green, whereas its true color is always purple, at
distances of even two or three miles. Let any traveller coming down
the Montanvert look for an aperture, three or four inches wide,
between the near pine branches, through which, standing eight or ten
feet from it, he can see the opposite forests on the Breven or
Flegere. Those forests are not above two or two and a half miles
from him; but he will find the aperture is filled by a tint of
nearly pure azure or purple, not by green.

[108] The Savoyard's name for its flower, "Pain du Bon Dieu," is
very beautiful; from, I believe, the supposed resemblance of its
white and scattered blossom to the fallen manna.

[109] See reference to his painting of stones in the last note to Sec.
28 of the chapter on Imagination Penetrative, Vol. II.

[110] In saying this I do not, of course, forget the influence of
the sea on the Pisans and Venetians; but that is a separate subject,
and must be examined in the next volume.

[111] "With fairest flowers
While summer lasts, and I live here, Fidele,
I'll sweeten thy sad grave. Thou shalt not lack
The flower that's like thy face--pale primrose, nor
The azured harebell--like thy veins; no, nor
The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander,
Outsweetened not thy breath. The ruddock would
With charitable bill bring thee all this;
Yea, and furred moss besides, when flowers are none,
To winter-ground thy corse.
_Gui._ Prithee, have done,
And do not play in wench-like words with that
Which is so serious."

Imogen herself, afterwards in deeper passion, will give weeds--not
flowers--and something more: